The ACLU has filed a civil rights lawsuit on behalf of a family in north-central Nebraska that alleges the local school district cut their children’s hair, a violation of their Lakota beliefs.
The ACLU says two girls, ages 6 and 10, had their hair cut by a Cody-Kilgore School District employee during a check for head lice in the spring of 2020. When their parents, who are part of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, learned of the incident, they told the district cutting their daughter’s hair violated their Lakota beliefs. Then they allege it happened again.
“Really the case is about ensuring that all Native Americans students across Nebraska feel safe and confident that their beliefs, their traditions, their racial identity and really at the core of it, their personal dignity is respected in all our public schools as called-for by the First Amendment and federal law,” Rose Godenez, lead council on the case for the ACLU, said.
She said the district’s written policy on head lice says nothing about cutting student’s hair and alleges there was an “off the books” policy for Native American students.
“Our clients are seeking accountability at the broadest form and awareness for all schools to be put on notice that students’ religious freedom, students’ rights to an education free of discrimination and harassment applies to all Nebraska public school,” Godenez said.
The Cody-Kilgore School District said it doesn’t comment on student matters or ongoing litigation. Godenez said the students are still enrolled in the district, but are now out of school for summer break.